Joining infantry and maintaining strength

[NeilTheCanadian]

Hey everyone,
I'm shipping out to join the infantry in about 8 months, and im running Texas method to get my strength up. I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience with if they lost any significant strength after ending the program, or better yet after joining the military, as I know most of their training is calisthenic, and i also wont be able to eat the sheer amount of food while with the forces. looking for any tips on how to prepare for this, and what i might expect.
Any help is appreciated, thanks.

[obguy]

Expect to be detrained while you go through basic training and schooling. In basic you're entire day is controlled by the drill instructors. For me, the worst part was the lack of sleep. Physically, basic training was not much of a challenge. The long marches may get to your feet, though. You will not have access to gyms in basic and I'm not sure about that during your schooling (I was a mechanic, not 11B). With regards to food, it's hurry up and get out in basic, but I was never wanting for food. After that, you can pretty much free range as much as you want. My advice to you is to just forget about lifting (you'll still do a lot of push-ups) until you get to permanent party, and then your after hours time is basically your own and all bases have gyms. Good luck!

[Alex Kennedy]

Which branch?

[Ski]

Hey everyone,
I'm shipping out to join the infantry in about 8 months, and im running Texas method to get my strength up. I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience with if they lost any significant strength after ending the program, or better yet after joining the military, as I know most of their training is calisthenic, and i also wont be able to eat the sheer amount of food while with the forces. looking for any tips on how to prepare for this, and what i might expect.
Any help is appreciated, thanks.

I am going to take a different approach to your RFI than I think many would normally suggest but.... I would focus on building your strength base as much as possible. Of course, continue to include your branch specific training as well (don't completely disregard). However, one point of frustration for an infantrymen (Canadian or otherwise) is a training plan that typically involves rather consistent food deprivation, long periods of poor recovery (no sleep) and long periods of low impact walking/rucking. As an enlisted man, I was constantly frustrated because I would get 2-3 weeks on consistent strength training schedule followed by a week or two in the field (heavily impacting recovery) that I would result in essentially being where I started the previous 2-3 week training cycle. This went on more or less for 4 years. This type of environment lends itself much better to maintaining your strength base. I am not saying it is impossible to improve just that you many not have the kind of consistency pre-military ever again.
In the interest of disclosure, I am an US Military Officer branched infantry (17 years of service-enlisted and commissioned).